"Why does it make sense to invite the MP who voted against the funding?"

Straw Man!!! Sensey, unless you are going to VERIFY Linda Duncan voted against the funding?

Sorry "concerned citizen who supports those announcements" doesn't cut it. Linda Duncan is the credentialed MP responsible for that riding. "Concerned citizen who supports those announcements" is not an accurate way to describe Ryan Hastman, 12 year old political wannabe fresh from his internship at PMO - shadow candidate without a website...

Our Government, lead by Stephen Harper could conduct itself properly but it doesn't. Instead it sends partisan zombies to replace duly elected members of Parliament.

"I don't think it's unethical conduct, on top of that there is no provision in the Conflict of Interest Act that would address what happened. It may fall under the guidelines for ministers, ... which lay out ethical conduct, [but] the person to whom people are responsible for those Public Office Holders is the prime minister and the prime minister will determine whether they were ethical or not," said Mr. Szabo.

Yes they voted against the conservative shovel pages - but the shovel pages are the system Parliament adopted nonetheless. Are you suggesting Duncan is opposed to specific stimulus in her riding? You think she should be out there blocking cheques? That is moronic. And your tirade still doesn't address the impropriety of Mr. Hastman, con nominee to the stars at these events in place of the elected official, Duncan.

By the way, Ryan Hastman handing out cheques is not going to win him the riding. I live here and have not even noticed him.

People here voted for Duncan because they do not like Harper. Maybe if a bunch of con supporters move in to the riding before the next election Harper could win it back. Lord knows the CPC are piling tons and tons of resources here.

CS, I'd like to ask an honest question here. Say we're living in an alternate universe where the grits were in power now, with a minority held together by the NDP. The financial miss hits the fan and an EAP is created and voted in by parliament, but wholeheartedly opposed & voted against by the CPC.

Regardless of their opposition, stimulus money does go to Conservative ridings too (possibly skewed by partisan-ism, depends if any governing party finally drafts legislation against this crap - but that's another topic) and these projects are actually worthwhile and beneficial for the communities.

My hypothetical question... Would it not seem inappropriate to you if the failed Lib candidate or some other political hack of the LPC made the stimulus announcement - rather than the actual elected Tory MP?

Sure they opposed it, but the funding is the tax dollars of that riding just the same.

"I am glad you think the opposition MP's are more entitled to attend the publicity event than a Canadian taxpayer."

The MP is who the riding's taxpayers voted for. That's who is accountable.

Seems to me that taxpayers can attend as well.

What a ridiculous argument, CS. Seems to me only partisan Conservatives would even attempt to buy into your argument. But, by all means, keep trolling and promoting your Party as being anti-democratic. Keep pointing how how our government, which is supposed to be non-partisan, is keeping working to keep opposition MPs out of the loop.

Next thing you know, the government will appoint Conservative candidates in opposition ridings to act as the go-between between people and their government, usurping the local MP's role.

Oh, wait. They already tried that a few years ago. On our dime at that.

I do disagree with you on this, as I think this stinks regardless of what party is playing these kinds of political games, with one exception - Quebec. There I think all 3 federalist parties should agree on a program to undermine the BQ by openly spending more on any Quebec ridings that vote for federalist parties. A not-to-subtle message to QC voters that this is what you get when you vote for separatists but expect federal handouts. The Chretien Libs used to do this to some degree, and I agreed to it in principle provided the handful of PC ridings also got their share.

I would also like to mention, I will hold you to this if the reverse situation ever does occur.

you are welcome. Some bloggers don't like my opinion. I have no reason to mince words.

I disagree with your geographic principle in Quebec.

I would also extend if an MP from the opposition worked with the government to secure a Policy that was unpopular for his party but was for his riding the government should acknowledge with the publicity photo op stunts to reinforce the MP was supportive.

The public want us to cooperate and tone down the rhetoric and move along to tackle the real issues.

This does not mean I support the every policy or decision by the CPC carte blanche.

Tofkw the NDP and Liberals MP's are not "evil" or trying to "destroy" our country. I find trying to paint the CPC differently is just wrong.

CS - I never said the CPC was evil or trying to destroy the country, I simply think many of their policies are the wrong way to go.

I did support the old PC party so my support for the Libs is only due to my view that the merged CPC went too far to the populist side, and Harper was the wrong choice as the first leader. I said then that Harper would split the party (again), and I still hold this view. I also admitted to myself that the Martin/Manley style blue-Grits were closer to my politics than the new CPC.

However one thing I did not agree with is this style of old-school pork barrel politics which you seem to think is OK. I feel the Libs are suffering many of their ills now from such past practices, and hope they offer new policies to end this for once and for all.

I also find it amusing that the former Reformers are now doing exactly what they used to heavily criticize the Libs for doing - something for which I agreed with the Reform party on 100%.

"in the years you've engaged these wingnuts seriously, have you ever converted one?"

Actually the wingnuts are another reason for me staying clear of the new CPC. I learned enough after the second Mike Harris administration that the new conservatism was no longer anything I wished to be associated with.

I have never voted for the PC party and voted Liberal until the GST flip.

I don't agree with the massive stimulus in January 2009.

I was happy with the November Economic Update.

The opposition were determined an immediate injection of $ 30 Billion and 3 policies introduced were sufficient to replace the government six weeks into their mandate.

After withdrawing those 3 issues, the opposition did not back down. The GG granted the Christmas Break one week earlier.

In January 2009 without any help or ideas from the Liberals the CPC introduced EAP.

If you like I can forward the links and timelines.

Months later the Liberals passed EAP without a serious amendment or a suggestion it is TOO big.

Tokw, we "silly" voters or "conbots" have watched week after week opposition demanding Billions more, faster to be spent on every issue.

I was against EAP (size) and speed and GM bailout.

Reviewing the 13 years of Billions wasted by the AG and watching now the E-health scandal is a reminder how things go wrong.

I prefer less spending (less waste). Can you point out which party in opposition has been asking the Gov't to SPEND less?

Tofkw

I don't draw the same conclusions that you do about Adscam, HR boondoggle both AG confirmed vs the "pork barrel" "novelty cheque" partisan advertising meme the opposition have alleged the last 2-3 weeks.

I like many voters did not support the GM bailout but NO ONE stood up for us.

Compare how much time the HOC spent on debating the $ 10 Billion bailout (loan).

Why do you think PC, Blue Libs anyone who is fiscally conservative has NOWHERE else to park their vote?

A government Lib/NDP backed by Bloc would have thrown out less money? ---->Really?

The Liberals decision to give the NDP/Bloc a key to the executive washrooms has burned too many bridges.

"Strangle the younger ones in their cradles, now. It's our only hope."BEST LAUGH OF THE DAYCS appears pissed that in a sea of deep blue there is a orange beach head. Get over it buttercup.And IMPO it is the elected MP who is accountable in that riding not a "has been" or "what-a-be". Wishing and hoping won't change this reality.

Funny, I can't believe someone can switch from voting Rae to Harris. I myself have voted for 4 different political parties in various fed & prov elections over my life, but never for the NDP. (Yes I voted Harris in 1990, 1995 & 1999). Along with Ti-Guy, I doubt your past voting history, but whatever.

Also CS, these Liblogs are not a democracy. The Blogging Tories forums certainly don't allow too much in the way of challenging their fearless leader. I applaud the Libs here for being more open and honest, and allowing criticism.

Actually, with CS, I can sort of believe it. He just sounds like these loony cranks who think the current government is always responsible for every problem that crops up, and thus, just votes against it in the subsequent election.

He'll be back to voting Liberal again in the future, I'm sure. And when that happens, he'll be screaming at Conservatives and blaming them for the mess they've made.

I think CanadianSenesless is onto something. But why just exclude the sitting MP? Why not start pointing out and excluding the local citizenry who didn't vote for the CONmen? And those people who didn't put CON signs on their lawn? Maybe give their shares to the CONbots who kicked down, vandalized and busted opposition election signs, double points for any brakelines cut, too. It's the new acceptable practice in CONada, where blue and bluer are the new colors, and the stars are the dimmest bulbs of the bunch.